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In the fund space, smart-beta exchange traded funds have experienced a growth spurt and are attracting greater interest. Nevertheless, many are still not quite sure what smart beta entails.

“We think smart-beta strategies could be described as an effort to seek outperformance of a market index at low total cost (as measured by factors such as expense ratios) and with the features which have made ETFs popular, such as transparency into portfolio holdings or relative tax efficiency,” according to Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

“If this explanation sounds technical, that’s because it is – and therein lies the challenge,” according to Goldman “In our view, investors need more than ‘technical’ explanations when considering new investment ideas.”

Many investors remain unfamiliar with the smart-beta term. According to Goldman Sachs, only a handful of investors have heard of smart beta investment strategies, and even those familiar with the term could not accurately explain them. Additionally, affluent investors were also unfamiliar with smart beta ETFs. Consequently, Goldman sees that investors and investment professionals are essentially a “blank slate” when it comes to smart beta. [What Holds Investors Back From ETF Exposure?]

Goldman points out that discussing smart beta as a blend of active and passive may cause greater misunderstandings as many have different interpretations of what is active and passive. For instance, some reveal that “active” means the investor carries out an investment decision, whereas “passive” means someone else manages an account. In contrast, investment professionals and industry insiders define “active” as a fund based off active portfolio management and “passive” as something that passively tracks an index.

“In our view, describing smart beta as a ‘blend’ of active and passive investing can be confusing, and thus ineffective, in explaining its potential benefits, risks, and rewards,” according to Goldman.